Teacher Professional Development

Intro to Native Landscaping for Schools

Discover how to plant a schoolyard garden with native plants that attract butterflies and other pollinators. Learn about historic folklore surrounding native plants and their medicinal properties. Explore the benefits of native plants, and get tips for engaging students, faculty and parent volunteers to install and maintain a pollinator-friendly garden. This abbreviated three-session course is offered through the University of Wisconsin Madison Arboretum as part of the Earth Partnership for Schools. Register online.

Jan. 18, 2020 • 8:30 a.m. – Noon
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook

3.5 CPDH

Bass in the Class 

Liven up your science curriculum with this hands-on aquatic biology program for your classroom. You will receive lessons and materials to tailor to curriculum needs as your students in grades preschool to 12 raise fingerling fish, monitor tank quality, learn about ecosystems and begin to adopt a conservation ethic. No fee. Register online.

Feb. 1, 2020 • 8:30 a.m. – noon
Aug. 22, 2020 • 8:30 a.m. – noon
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook

3.5 CPDH

"Bass in the Class" flyer (PDF)

Animal Adaptations — 16995

Analyze skulls, explore other wildlife biofacts, and view exhibits that will give you an understanding of the complex world of animals. Use this knowledge to identify features, classify wildlife, and discover connections between all living things. After, you'll learn about ecosystems, how to observe animals' structural and behavioral adaptations for survival, what animals need to thrive in their environments, and how humans affect places, habitats, and ecosystems. Discover how wildlife adaptations and characteristics relate to Common Core and NGSS standards, and learn about activities for the classroom and field trips at the wildlife center. Register online.

Feb. 28, 2020 • 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn

5 CPDH

DuPage County Rocks! — 16994

Come check out this rockin' training, and uncover the mysteries of our planet from the earth's core to the outer reaches of space. Learn how different types of rocks are formed, see fluorescent minerals glow, crack geodes, see amazing Illinois fossils, and learn why scientists want to mine asteroids. Discover how geology relates to Common Core and NGSS standards, and learn classroom activities for plate tectonics, weather, and basic earth-science concepts for preschool to eighth grade. Register online.

Feb. 28, 2020 • 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook

5 CPDH

Mindfulness in the Classroom — 17221

Get an overview about mindfulness, how it feels and why it is important for teachers to use it in the classroom. $40 per person. Register online.

June 9, 2020  • 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook

5 CPDH

Blanding's Turtles: Saving an Endangered Species — 16042

Explore STEM science and the endangered Blanding’s turtle. Partner with naturalists from the DuPage County Forest Preserve District to discover their efforts to revitalize the Blanding’s turtle populations. Begin your day with a presentation before heading out for a field study in telemetry. Then, meet a captive-reared turtle, view their native habitat and discover activities you can use in the classroom. Ages 18 and up. No fee. Register online. 

June 19, 2020 • 9 a.m. – Noon  
Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn

3 CPDH

Summer Break Relaxation — 17222

Get an overview about the risk to empathetic teachers and how to balance student care with your own care. Includes a  caregiver yoga class. $40 per person. Register online.

June 23, 2020  • 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook

5 CPDH

Back-to-School Mindfulness — 17223

Begin your morning devoted to exploring and planning small but impactful changes you can make to your classroom environment, interactions and curriculum. Come away with a simple mindfulness craft project, a self-designed script and some samples. Ages 18 and up. $50 per person. Register online.

July 21, 2020 • 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook

5 CPDH

Advanced Native Landscaping for Schools — 17224

Engage your students in the process of prairie gardening and learning about prairie plants and animals on school grounds. Take home an extensive curriculum correlated with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards during this project-based learning training. Study native species, habitats and ecosystems, analyze soil, water, slope and aesthetics qualities. Come away with plans for a butterfly, prairie or rain garden for your school. This abbreviated course is offered through the University of Wisconsin Madison Arboretum as part of the Earth Partnership for Schools. Ages 18 and up. $12 per person. Register online. 

Aug. 1, 2020 • 8:30 a.m. –2 p.m. 
St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville

5 CPDH